Sailors' Day fundraising button - light blue

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c. 1940

Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button sold during World War Two to support the 'Sailors' Day' appeal. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
It features a central blue fouled anchor sitting directly over a red circle which is the centre of a cream lifebuoy (lifesaver). There are four cream tabs at the top, bottom and both sides, through which a depiction of a rope is threaded.
To the outside of the lifebuoy is a broad light blue border on which the words 'SAILORS' DAY' are printed in cream upper case letters around the top arch, while the denomination of '1/-' (one shilling) is at the bottom.
The reverse has a metal pin which encircles the edge of the badge before ending in a point which can be pushed through clothing for attachment. There are no maker's marks.

Historical information

The Sailors' Day and Merchant Seamen's Appeals during World War Two were nationwide charity and fundraising campaigns in Australia designed to support Allied merchant navy personnel and naval seamen.
Organised through various charitable groups like the Royal Navy and local merchant navy welfare funds, these regular appeals raised vital capital to provide comfort packages, medical aid, and financial relief to the families of sailors who faced immense danger keeping supply lines open.

There are two versions of this button in the collection - dark blue and light blue - both with the same price of one shilling.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01143

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Defence > Navy

Social History

Transport